General Surgery Coding Alert

October 1 is just around the corner, and that means you'll soon need to be up and running with the latest ICD- 9 changes. Are you wondering where you should focus your time and energy?

Time-saver: This quiz on the new codes and the basics of diagnosis coding will help you determine whether you're on the right track, or if you should work on your 2010 diagnosis coding know-how.

Question 1: Once the 2010 ICD-9 changes go into effect on Oct. 1, what diagnosis code should you report when your surgeon documents "chronic venous embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of left arm"?

A. 453.71

B. 453.8

C. 453.81

D. None of the above.

Question 2: True or false: You can never report a V code as the primary diagnosis.

Question 3: Which of the following is ICD-9 2010 diagnosis code you'll report for a patient with an unspecified neoplasm?

A. 239.8

B. 239.81

C. 239.89

D. V10.90.

General Surgery Coding Alert/2009, Vol. 11, No. 12 To subscribe, call (800) 508-2582 Page 91

Question 4: True or false: You can never report an E code as the primary diagnosis.

Question 5: Your surgeon sees a patient with a personal history of a malignant neuroendocrine tumor, which affects the surgeon's medical decision making for treatment. To support the higher-level medical decision making, what ICD-9 2010 diagnosis code will you report?

A. V10.90

B. V10.91

C. V53.50

D. All of the above.

Check yourself: To see if you've got a handle on these diagnosis coding topics, review your answers against the answer key on page 93.